Appalachian Speckleback Lichen

Punctelia appalachensis, commonly known as the Appalachian speckled shield lichen, is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It is found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada. The lichen was first formally described in 1962 by lichenologist William Culberson as a species of Parmelia. He collected the type specimen growing on tree bark in West Virginia, Hildur Krog transferred it to the newly circumscribed genus Punctelia in 1982.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Appalachian Speckleback Lichen being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Punctelia missouriensis
• Punctelia caseana
• Punctelia rudecta
• Punctelia perreticulata
• Parmotrema subtinctorium

Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Lecanoromycetes

Order

Lecanorales

Family

Parmeliaceae

Genus

Punctelia

Species

Punctelia appalachensis

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